Iraq's parliament has given politicians another week to draft the country's new constitution after they missed their initial deadline.
Parliament approved the extension just minutes before the midnight Monday deadline. Members of the committee drafting the new constitution failed to reach agreement on several key issues, including the role of Islam in the state and the distribution of power between the central and regional governments.
Speaking in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Iraq has generated considerable momentum in drafting the document. She says Iraqi politicians have made substantial progress on all issues related to the constitution. Ms. Rice added she is confident that Iraqis will complete the constitutional process, saying the world is witnessing democracy in action in Iraq.
